Cognitive process enactment

ABSTRACT

One embodiment provides for continuously adaptive business process management definition and execution including obtaining, by a processor, business process models and a process runtime environment. A business process model is discovered. Business rules that support decision making for the business process model are discovered. A process plan is defined in view of the business rules for achieving a predetermined goal. A next action in the process plan is determined based on the business rules in a current process portion and providing a recommendation for acting on the next action. The next action is executed based on the recommendation. A change in a world effect status is determined after executing the next action. The process plan is updated. A continuously adaptive business process model and execution environment are generated.

BACKGROUND

Current business process execution engines adopt the sequential cycle ofDefine-Execute-Improve for processes, without the ability to change theprocess model (in terms of actions identified, as well as the sequenceof actions) during a process execution. However, many business processesrequire adaptation of the process logic as the process is executed, byobserving new data from the world.

There are many business processes that are described in unstructuredinformation sources, and manually executed. Handling and managing work(processes) conventionally involves interaction among employees, systemsand devices. Interactions occur over email, chat, and messaging apps.Descriptions exist for processes, procedures, policies, laws, rules,regulations, plans, external entities (such as customers, partners andgovernment agencies), surrounding world, news, social networks, etc. Inmany cases, especially with so-called “Knowledge-intensive Processes(KiP's)”, there may be substantial variation between differentenactments of a process, in terms of the steps actually performed andthe sequencing of those steps. Furthermore, the continued inclusion ofever-changing external information into processing decisions and stepsmakes it impossible to use conventional business processing approachesto specify in advance a conventional business process management (BPM)model that all of the process enactments will follow.

SUMMARY

Embodiments relate to continuously adaptive business process managementdefinition and execution. One embodiment provides for continuouslyadaptive business process management definition and execution includingobtaining, by a processor, business process models and a process runtimeenvironment. A business process model is discovered. Business rules thatsupport decision making for the business process model are discovered. Aprocess plan is defined in view of the business rules for achieving apredetermined goal. A next action in the process plan is determinedbased on the business rules in a current process portion and providing arecommendation for acting on the next action. The next action isexecuted based on the recommendation. A change in a world effect statusis determined after executing the next action. The process plan isupdated. A continuously adaptive business process model and executionenvironment are generated.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become understood with reference to the followingdescription, appended claims and accompanying figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a cloud computing environment, according to anembodiment;

FIG. 2 depicts a set of abstraction model layers, according to anembodiment;

FIG. 3 is a network architecture for efficient representation, accessand modification of variable length data objects, according to anembodiment;

FIG. 4 shows a representative hardware environment that may beassociated with the servers and/or clients of FIG. 1, according to anembodiment;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating system for continuously adaptivebusiness process management definition and execution, according to oneembodiment;

FIG. 6 illustrates a comparison of a process classification pyramid,examples and a lifecycle paradigm for moving from a conventionalbusiness process model lifecycle to a cognitive business process model,according to one embodiment;

FIG. 7 illustrates extending a plan-act-learn cycle forcognitively-enabled processes, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 8 illustrates an example of comparing the conventional businessprocess model lifecycle to a cognitive business process model, accordingto one embodiment;

FIG. 9 illustrates an example pipeline for a plan, act and learn modelin a continuously adaptive process enactment approach, according to oneembodiment;

FIG. 10 illustrates an example hybrid decision tree formed from learnedlogic, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 11 illustrates an example of how the cognitive BPM approach mightbe used in the context of continuously adaptive business processoperation in the cognitive world, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 12 illustrates an example pipeline for a generic framework formapping from unstructured process information into executables,according to one embodiment; and

FIG. 13 illustrates a block diagram for a process for continuouslyadaptive business process management definition and execution, accordingto one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The descriptions of the various embodiments have been presented forpurposes of illustration, but are not intended to be exhaustive orlimited to the embodiments disclosed. Many modifications and variationswill be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departingfrom the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminologyused herein was chosen to best explain the principles of theembodiments, the practical application or technical improvement overtechnologies found in the marketplace, or to enable others of ordinaryskill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.

It is understood in advance that although this disclosure includes adetailed description of cloud computing, implementation of the teachingsrecited herein are not limited to a cloud computing environment. Rather,embodiments of the present invention are capable of being implemented inconjunction with any other type of computing environment now known orlater developed.

Traditional business process management (BPM) is centered around alifecycle involving (a) defining requirements for a repeating process,(b) designing a process model that embodies the requirements, (c)executing enactments of the process model multiple times, (d) monitoringthe performance and results, and (e) optimizing and otherwise modifyingthe process model. A new approach is needed to meet the needs of BPM inthe era of computing that is enabled at a fundamental level byArtificial Intelligence (including various forms of CognitiveComputing). One of the key drivers necessitating the new approach isthat Cognitive Computing enables the automated understanding of largeamounts of structured and unstructured data in a continuous fashion andon a large scale; as a result the information available to a givenprocess enactment is continually expanding, making it impossible tocreate a comprehensive processing model in advance of the processenactments. The distinction between process “model” and process“enactment” (or “instance”) is blurred, and in essence, each enactmentof a process is based on a different process model. In one embodiment,each process enactment is based on numerous turns through a cycle ofsteps that involves (i) determining goals and/or subgoals and creatingplans to achieve them (either wholly or partially), (ii) acting orexecuting on those plans for some period of time or until someobjectives are achieved, and (iii) optionally, performing learning andanalysis tasks to gain knowledge that can be incorporated into thesubsequence cycle.

One or more embodiments provide for continuously adaptive businessprocess management definition and execution. In one embodiment, a methodis provided for continuously adaptive business process managementdefinition and execution including obtaining, by a processor, businessprocess models and a process runtime environment. A business processmodel is discovered. Business rules that support decision making for thebusiness process model are discovered. A process plan is defined in viewof the business rules for achieving a predetermined goal. A next actionin the process plan is determined based on the business rules in acurrent process portion and providing a recommendation for acting on thenext action. The next action is executed based on the recommendation. Achange in a world effect status is determined after executing the nextaction. The process plan is updated. A continuously adaptive businessprocess model and execution environment are generated.

Cloud computing is a model of service delivery for enabling convenient,on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computingresources (e.g., networks, network bandwidth, servers, processing,memory, storage, applications, virtual machines (VMs), and services)that can be rapidly provisioned and released with minimal managementeffort or interaction with a provider of the service. This cloud modelmay include at least five characteristics, at least three servicemodels, and at least four deployment models.

Characteristics are as follows:

On-demand self-service: a cloud consumer can unilaterally provisioncomputing capabilities, such as server time and network storage, asneeded and automatically, without requiring human interaction with theservice's provider.

Broad network access: capabilities are available over a network andaccessed through standard mechanisms that promote use by heterogeneous,thin or thick client platforms (e.g., mobile phones, laptops, and PDAs).

Resource pooling: the provider's computing resources are pooled to servemultiple consumers using a multi-tenant model, with different physicaland virtual resources dynamically assigned and reassigned according todemand. There is a sense of location independence in that the consumergenerally has no control or knowledge over the exact location of theprovided resources but may be able to specify location at a higher levelof abstraction (e.g., country, state, or data center).

Rapid elasticity: capabilities can be rapidly and elasticallyprovisioned and, in some cases, automatically, to quickly scale out andrapidly released to quickly scale in. To the consumer, the capabilitiesavailable for provisioning often appear to be unlimited and can bepurchased in any quantity at any time.

Measured service: cloud systems automatically control and optimizeresource use by leveraging a metering capability at some level ofabstraction appropriate to the type of service (e.g., storage,processing, bandwidth, and active consumer accounts). Resource usage canbe monitored, controlled, and reported, thereby providing transparencyfor both the provider and consumer of the utilized service.

Service Models are as follows:

Software as a Service (SaaS): the capability provided to the consumer isthe ability to use the provider's applications running on a cloudinfrastructure. The applications are accessible from various clientdevices through a thin client interface, such as a web browser (e.g.,web-based email). The consumer does not manage or control the underlyingcloud infrastructure including network, servers, operating systems,storage, or even individual application capabilities, with the possibleexception of limited consumer-specific application configurationsettings.

Platform as a Service (PaaS): the capability provided to the consumer isthe ability to deploy onto the cloud infrastructure consumer-created oracquired applications created using programming languages and toolssupported by the provider. The consumer does not manage or control theunderlying cloud infrastructure including networks, servers, operatingsystems, or storage, but has control over the deployed applications andpossibly application-hosting environment configurations.

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): the capability provided to theconsumer is the ability to provision processing, storage, networks, andother fundamental computing resources where the consumer is able todeploy and run arbitrary software, which can include operating systemsand applications. The consumer does not manage or control the underlyingcloud infrastructure but has control over operating systems, storage,deployed applications, and possibly limited control of select networkingcomponents (e.g., host firewalls).

Deployment Models are as follows:

Private cloud: the cloud infrastructure is operated solely for anorganization. It may be managed by the organization or a third party andmay exist on-premises or off-premises.

Community cloud: the cloud infrastructure is shared by severalorganizations and supports a specific community that has shared concerns(e.g., mission, security requirements, policy, and complianceconsiderations). It may be managed by the organizations or a third partyand may exist on-premises or off-premises.

Public cloud: the cloud infrastructure is made available to the generalpublic or a large industry group and is owned by an organization sellingcloud services.

Hybrid cloud: the cloud infrastructure is a composition of two or moreclouds (private, community, or public) that remain unique entities butare bound together by standardized or proprietary technology thatenables data and application portability (e.g., cloud bursting for loadbalancing between clouds).

A cloud computing environment is a service oriented with a focus onstatelessness, low coupling, modularity, and semantic interoperability.At the heart of cloud computing is an infrastructure comprising anetwork of interconnected nodes.

Referring now to FIG. 1, an illustrative cloud computing environment 50is depicted. As shown, cloud computing environment 50 comprises one ormore cloud computing nodes 10 with which local computing devices used bycloud consumers, such as, for example, personal digital assistant (PDA)or cellular telephone 54A, desktop computer 54B, laptop computer 54C,and/or automobile computer system 54N may communicate. Nodes 10 maycommunicate with one another. They may be grouped (not shown) physicallyor virtually, in one or more networks, such as private, community,public, or hybrid clouds as described hereinabove, or a combinationthereof. This allows the cloud computing environment 50 to offerinfrastructure, platforms, and/or software as services for which a cloudconsumer does not need to maintain resources on a local computingdevice. It is understood that the types of computing devices 54A-N shownin FIG. 2 are intended to be illustrative only and that computing nodes10 and cloud computing environment 50 can communicate with any type ofcomputerized device over any type of network and/or network addressableconnection (e.g., using a web browser).

Referring now to FIG. 2, a set of functional abstraction layers providedby the cloud computing environment 50 (FIG. 1) is shown. It should beunderstood in advance that the components, layers, and functions shownin FIG. 2 are intended to be illustrative only and embodiments of theinvention are not limited thereto. As depicted, the following layers andcorresponding functions are provided:

Hardware and software layer 60 includes hardware and softwarecomponents. Examples of hardware components include: mainframes 61; RISC(Reduced Instruction Set Computer) architecture based servers 62;servers 63; blade servers 64; storage devices 65; and networks andnetworking components 66. In some embodiments, software componentsinclude network application server software 67 and database software 68.

Virtualization layer 70 provides an abstraction layer from which thefollowing examples of virtual entities may be provided: virtual servers71; virtual storage 72; virtual networks 73, including virtual privatenetworks; virtual applications and operating systems 74; and virtualclients 75.

In one example, a management layer 80 may provide the functionsdescribed below. Resource provisioning 81 provides dynamic procurementof computing resources and other resources that are utilized to performtasks within the cloud computing environment. Metering and pricing 82provide cost tracking as resources are utilized within the cloudcomputing environment and billing or invoicing for consumption of theseresources. In one example, these resources may comprise applicationsoftware licenses. Security provides identity verification for cloudconsumers and tasks as well as protection for data and other resources.User portal 83 provides access to the cloud computing environment forconsumers and system administrators. Service level management 84provides cloud computing resource allocation and management such thatrequired service levels are met. Service Level Agreement (SLA) planningand fulfillment 85 provide pre-arrangement for, and procurement of,cloud computing resources for which a future requirement is anticipatedin accordance with an SLA.

Workloads layer 90 provides examples of functionality for which thecloud computing environment may be utilized. Examples of workloads andfunctions which may be provided from this layer include: mapping andnavigation 91; software development and lifecycle management 92; virtualclassroom education delivery 93; data analytics processing 94;transaction processing 95; and continuously adaptive business processmanagement definition and execution processing 96. As mentioned above,all of the foregoing examples described with respect to FIG. 2 areillustrative only, and the invention is not limited to these examples.

It is understood all functions of one or more embodiments as describedherein may be typically performed by the processing system 300 (FIG. 3)or the autonomous cloud environment 410 (FIG. 4), which can be tangiblyembodied as hardware processors and with modules of program code.However, this need not be the case for non-real-time processing. Rather,for non-real-time processing the functionality recited herein could becarried out/implemented and/or enabled by any of the layers 60, 70, 80and 90 shown in FIG. 2.

It is reiterated that although this disclosure includes a detaileddescription on cloud computing, implementation of the teachings recitedherein are not limited to a cloud computing environment. Rather, theembodiments of the present invention may be implemented with any type ofclustered computing environment now known or later developed.

FIG. 3 illustrates a network architecture 300, in accordance with oneembodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of remote networks 302 areprovided, including a first remote network 304 and a second remotenetwork 306. A gateway 301 may be coupled between the remote networks302 and a proximate network 308. In the context of the present networkarchitecture 300, the networks 304, 306 may each take any formincluding, but not limited to, a LAN, a WAN, such as the Internet,public switched telephone network (PSTN), internal telephone network,etc.

In use, the gateway 301 serves as an entrance point from the remotenetworks 302 to the proximate network 308. As such, the gateway 301 mayfunction as a router, which is capable of directing a given packet ofdata that arrives at the gateway 301, and a switch, which furnishes theactual path in and out of the gateway 301 for a given packet.

Further included is at least one data server 314 coupled to theproximate network 308, which is accessible from the remote networks 302via the gateway 301. It should be noted that the data server(s) 314 mayinclude any type of computing device/groupware. Coupled to each dataserver 314 is a plurality of user devices 316. Such user devices 316 mayinclude a desktop computer, laptop computer, handheld computer, printer,and/or any other type of logic-containing device. It should be notedthat a user device 311 may also be directly coupled to any of thenetworks in some embodiments.

A peripheral 320 or series of peripherals 320, e.g., facsimile machines,printers, scanners, hard disk drives, networked and/or local storageunits or systems, etc., may be coupled to one or more of the networks304, 306, 308. It should be noted that databases and/or additionalcomponents may be utilized with, or integrated into, any type of networkelement coupled to the networks 304, 306, 308. In the context of thepresent description, a network element may refer to any component of anetwork.

According to some approaches, methods and systems described herein maybe implemented with and/or on virtual systems and/or systems, whichemulate one or more other systems, such as a UNIX system that emulatesan IBM z/OS environment, a UNIX system that virtually hosts a MICROSOFTWINDOWS environment, a MICROSOFT WINDOWS system that emulates an IBMz/OS environment, etc. This virtualization and/or emulation may beimplemented through the use of VMWARE software in some embodiments.

FIG. 4 shows a representative hardware system 400 environment associatedwith a user device 316 and/or server 314 of FIG. 3, in accordance withone embodiment. In one example, a hardware configuration includes aworkstation having a central processing unit 410, such as amicroprocessor, and a number of other units interconnected via a systembus 412. The workstation shown in FIG. 4 may include a Random AccessMemory (RAM) 414, Read Only Memory (ROM) 416, an I/O adapter 418 forconnecting peripheral devices, such as disk storage units 420 to the bus412, a user interface adapter 422 for connecting a keyboard 424, a mouse426, a speaker 428, a microphone 432, and/or other user interfacedevices, such as a touch screen, a digital camera (not shown), etc., tothe bus 412, communication adapter 434 for connecting the workstation toa communication network 435 (e.g., a data processing network) and adisplay adapter 436 for connecting the bus 412 to a display device 438.

In one example, the workstation may have resident thereon an operatingsystem, such as the MICROSOFT WINDOWS Operating System (OS), a MAC OS, aUNIX OS, etc. In one embodiment, the system 400 employs a POSIX® basedfile system. It will be appreciated that other examples may also beimplemented on platforms and operating systems other than thosementioned. Such other examples may include operating systems writtenusing JAVA, XML, C, and/or C++ language, or other programming languages,along with an object oriented programming methodology. Object orientedprogramming (OOP), which has become increasingly used to develop complexapplications, may also be used.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a system 500 for continuouslyadaptive business process management definition and execution, accordingto one embodiment. In one embodiment, the system 500 includes clientdevices 510 (e.g., mobile devices, smart devices, computing systems,etc.), a cloud or resource sharing environment 520 (e.g., a public cloudcomputing environment, a private cloud computing environment, adatacenter, etc.), and servers 530. In one embodiment, the clientdevices are provided with cloud services from the servers 530 throughthe cloud or resource sharing environment 520.

In one embodiment, system 500 models a business process as an enactableprocess knowledge graph, including relationships among the following keyentities: knowledge, including constraints where knowledge at scale isthe fundamentally new element that cognitive computing brings tobusiness process management (BPM); goals/subgoals; initial top-levelgoals may be specified in advance, and additional goals and subgoals canbe formulated dynamically; agents (human and machine); decisions thatare made in the process, during specific process steps; actions, whichare activities that are taken during the process enactment; plans wherea plan is the specification of order of activities to take to achieve aspecific goal/subgoal; and events that are happening in the environment,and trigger actions and decision. System 500 also provides continuouslyadaptive business process management definition and executionprocessing.

Unstructured information in a business process hierarchy may include afirst tier of decision, design and strategy processes (e.g., for:enterprise, optimization (new business model, new markets, Geo's, etc.),merger/acquisition, build versus buy, etc.); judgment-intensiveprocesses (sales of complex information technology (IT) services,project management (e.g., complex client on-boarding, etc.), commercialinsurance underwriting, etc.); transaction-intensive processes (e.g.,management of back-office processing (e.g., order-to-cashreconciliation, payroll, etc.)). Some challenges of the above-identifiedbusiness process hierarchy include: for decision, design and strategyprocesses, due to rich flexibility needed, knowledge intensive processesare not supported systematically; a second tier may includejudgment-intensive processes: many “Judgement-Intensive” processes arefairly simple, but highly variable and too expensive to automate; athird tier may include transaction-intensive processes: many “ancillary”processes are performed in ad hoc ways, spreadsheets, etc. One source ofthe aforementioned challenges is “dark data:” digital footprint ofpeople, systems, apps and Internet of Things (IoT) devices. Handling andmanaging work (processes) involves interaction among employees, systemsand devices. Interactions are occurring over email, chat, messagingapps, etc. There are descriptions of processes, procedures, policies,laws, rules, instructions, templates, schedules, regulations,applications, plans, and external entities such as customers, partnersand government agencies, surrounding world, news, social networks, etc.The activities and interactions of people, systems, and IoT devices needto be coordinated. In one embodiment, generation of executable code fromunstructured information is relevant to all three tiers of thehierarchy. If applied to tier three of the hierarchy then the generatedprocess model would typically be focus on the “ancillary” processes, andwould be based on conventional BPM approaches. If applied to tier two ofthe hierarchy, then the generated process may be a conventional businessprocess model or a cognitively-enriched business process model. Ifapplied to tier one of the hierarchy, then the generated process modelwould typically be a cognitively-enriched business process model. Itshould be noted that the core of many back-office processing solutionsuse transaction-based processing, and the ancillary processes have somecharacteristics of “Judgement-intensive” processing of tier two of thehierarchy.

In one example embodiment, values from automatic learning of processesincludes the ability to automate, optimize, and transform “long tail”processes. Automation support for business processes is the long tail(graphically of volume versus different processes (e.g., routine, highvolume processes to niche, low volume processes)).

FIG. 6 illustrates a comparison 600 of a process classification pyramid,examples and a lifecycle paradigm 630 for moving from a conventionalbusiness process model lifecycle to a cognitive business process model,according to one embodiment. The process classification pyramid 610shows design and strategy support towards the top of the pyramid,judgment intensive processes in the middle of the pyramid andtransaction intensive processes towards the bottom of the pyramid. Asshown, from the middle to the top of the process classification pyramid610 are knowledge-intensive processes. Towards the top of the processclassification pyramid 610 would be targetable to a cognitively richprocess model and smaller number of cases; and towards the bottom of theprocess classification pyramid 610 would be targeted to a cognitivelysimple process model and larger number of cases.

The examples 620 listed near the top include: build versus buydecisions; merger and acquisition decisions; and business transformationinitiatives. The examples 620 listed near the middle include: complexsales initiatives; and on-boarding a client's data center. The examples620 listed near the bottom include: back-office processing (e.g.,payroll, mortgage origination, etc.); and business process outsourcing(BPO). The right-side of the comparison 600 includes the lifecycleparadigm 630 including the conventional BPM 810 (FIG. 8) on the bottomand the cognitive BPM 820 (FIG. 8) on the top.

FIG. 7 illustrates extending a plan-act-learn cycle 700 forcognitively-enabled processes, according to one embodiment. Theplan-act-learn cycle 700 includes plan/decide processing 710, actprocessing 720 and learn processing 730. In one embodiment, theplan-act-learn cycle 700 modifies the Define-Execute-Analyze-Improvecycle from conventional business process model to the plan-act-learncycle 700 of the process lifecycle of the plan, act and learn model in acontinuously adaptive process enactment approach 900 (FIG. 9). In oneembodiment, for each enactment of the overall process, many iterationsaround the plan-act-learn cycle 700 loop are performed. At a given time,multiple goals and sub-goals may be active including: numerousprocessing threads of activity, and each processing thread is modeledessentially as a “case” as in Case Management. In one example, as newinformation arrives the plan-act-learn cycle 700 may re-start for someor all processing threads including: planning based on new information(new goal formulation, planning to achieve those goals, etc.), act onnext steps of plan by the act processing 720, and optionally performlearning steps by the learn processing 730. In one embodiment, a“Cognitive Agent” process assists by: performs the planning, learns fromlarge volumes of structured/unstructured data, over time, and learns thebest practices and incorporates into the planning.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example 800 of comparing the conventional businessprocess model lifecycle to a cognitive business process model, accordingto one embodiment. The conventional business PM (BPM) 810 includesprocessing for define, model, execute, monitor and optimize. Thecognitive BPM 820 includes processing for: analyze (learn discover),plan (next steps, adapt), act (side-effect, interact), and monitor(probe, sense). The transition from conventional BPM to Cognitive BPM isan example of a “disruption” or paradigm shift in Computer Science andInformation Technology (IT). This disruption is in some ways analogousto previous disruptions including, the shift from conventionaldistributed information management to web-based information sharing; theshift from conventional object-oriented programming to REST API basedand Software-as-a-Service based programming; and the shift fromtraditional data centers to cloud-hosted computing.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example pipeline 900 for a plan, act and learnmodel in a continuously adaptive process enactment approach, accordingto one embodiment. The example pipeline 900 includes processing thatincludes: input of unstructured information 910 (includingreceiving/obtaining information on-the-fly), structured input/data(including receiving/obtaining information on-the-fly), documentprocessing 920, structured input ingestion 921, discover processing 930for new goals, indicators of progress, external information that isrelevant to a given process enactment, etc., extract entities 940processing (for example, Stanford natural language parser, etc.),planning next steps 935, domain model knowledge graph builder 950,domain status knowledge graph builder 960, mappings 970, and logicalexpressions builder 980, which outputs logic specification(s) to a smartprocessing model (PM) engine 990 (which includes fluent definitions,actions/services, pre-conditions, post-conditions, fluent updates,etc.). In one embodiment, the learning loop in plan, act and learn flowsfrom the output of the logic expressions builder 980 to the smart PMengine 990 to the discover processing 930.

In one embodiment, the document processing 920 results in chunks beingfed into the discover process 930 processing and the extract entities940 processing. The output of the discover process 930 processing mayinclude goals, change-of-state, priorities, etc. The output of theextract entities 940 processing may include entities, roles,constraints, etc. The output of the domain model knowledge graph builder950 may include a knowledge graph. The output of the domain statusknowledge graph builder 960 may include a knowledge graph update.

In one embodiment, the document processing 920 assists in understandingmacro-structure of input documents including sections/subsections, listand table layouts, meta-rules, etc. The extract business entities 940processing extracts domain model building blocks that may includesections/subsections, list and table layouts, meta-rules, etc. Thediscover process fragments 930 processing extracts process constructsthat may include conditions, actionable statements, sequences, scoping,etc. The mappings 970 processing includes mapping of: documentreferences, domain models, database references, etc. The mapping 970processing includes a mapping construction algorithm that isself-tuning. The process domain status knowledge graph builder 960constructs an all-inclusive knowledge graph including a parse-tree forprocess fragments. In one example embodiment, a targeted domain model iscreated from the mappings 970 that may include, for example, employeeattributes, as occurring in different data sources, different kinds ofupdates, etc.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example 1000 hybrid decision tree formed fromlearned logic, according to one embodiment. The example 1000 hybriddecision tree may be generated based on rules, guidelines, eligibilitycriteria, limits, etc. In one embodiment, the example 1000 hybriddecision tree may represent a process model that may be a cognitiveprocess model that comprises a hybrid collection of knowledge graphs ofprocess fragments in which each node in the graph can be of differenttypes. The different types for each node may include actions that areconnected to other actions, with different relationships types(dependencies, hard and soft constraints), link to different entities inthe space of that the action is operating on, pre-conditions andpost-conditions of the action execution (optionally), and links to othersystems, bots, and people (with different roles and responsibilities).In one embodiment, the example 1000 hybrid decision tree, after eachexecution, may be updated (e.g., nodes added, changed or deleted) basedon the changes in the environment.

FIG. 11 illustrates an example 1100 of how the Cognitive BPM approachmight be used in the context of continuously adaptive business processoperation in the cognitive world, according to one embodiment. Theexample 1100 inputs process guidelines and manuals 1110 (about 70%) andcurrent best practice and experience 1120 (about 30%) in an applicationarea, such as commercial insurance underwriting. An approach based oncognitive process learning 1130 can be used to learn about 70-80% of theprocessing logic, and to create executable rules and actionablestatements corresponding to that logic. This is sufficient to deploy aninitial processing framework and to execute 1150 enactments of theprocess. There may be significant human involvement in the processexecutions given that only 70% of the processing logic is learned fromthe process guidelines and manuals. As part of the ongoing processing ofenactments, the system may generate proactive guidance 1160 to users whoare performing manual tasks, including complex decision-making tasks.Once processing of enactments has commenced, then operational data 1170and proactive guidance 1160. The observe and collect operational data isobserved and collected 1170 and proactive guidance 1160 are fed back tothe process optimization 1140 processing, to enable continuous processimprovements. The actual processing 1150 is based on the plan-act-learncycle 700 (FIG. 7). This needed in part because the succeeding processenactments will take advantage of the optimizations 1140 created overtime, and so a fixed process model cannot be created for this process inadvance.

FIG. 12 illustrates an example pipeline 1200 for a generic framework formapping from unstructured process information into executables,according to one embodiment. In one embodiment, the pipeline 1200includes unstructured (information) input 910 (FIG. 9), documentprocessing 920 (FIG. 9), process knowledge graph builder 1060 andexecutable process builder 1270. In one embodiment, the output of theexecutable process builder 1270 includes rules that may be fed into anadaptive BPM engine 1280 (which includes task flows, reasoning logic anddomain model specification).

In one example embodiment, example 1231 are included in the discoverprocess fragments 1230 processing. The document processing 920 resultsin chunks being fed into the discover process fragments 1230 processingand the extract business entities 1240 processing. The output of thediscover process fragments 1230 processing may include actions, rules,conditions, etc. The output of the extract business entities 1240processing may include entities, value phrases, etc. The output of theprocess knowledge graph builder 1260 may include a knowledge graph. Inone embodiment, a human-in-the-loop may enable users to examine andrefine outputs at all stages of the pipeline 1200.

In one embodiment, the document processing 920 assists in understandingmacro-structure of input documents including sections/subsections, listand table layouts, meta-rules, etc. The extract business entities 1240processing extracts domain model building blocks that may includesections/subsections, list and table layouts, meta-rules, etc. Thediscover process fragments 1230 processing extracts process constructsthat may include conditions, actionable statements, sequences, scoping,etc. The mappings 1250 processing includes mapping of: documentreferences, domain models, database references, etc. The mappings 1250processing includes a mapping construction algorithm, which isself-tuning as other parts of example pipeline 1200. The processknowledge graph builder 1260 constructs an all-inclusive knowledge graphincluding a parse-tree for process fragments. The executable processbuilder 1270 includes human-consumable abstract representation ofexecutable, such as templates corresponding to conditions, actions,conditional actions, etc.

In one example embodiment, a targeted domain model is created from themappings 1250 that may include, for example, employee attributes, asoccurring in different data sources, different kinds of updates, etc.The adaptive BPM engine 1280 may create a targeted processing model, forexample, for HR processing the focus is on the individual employees, andfor validating input data values, series of updates if valid, manualtreatment of exceptions, etc.

In one embodiment, the process knowledge graph builder 1260 includes thefollowing extraction guidelines and notes, according to one embodiment.While processing a document, a first question is identification ofprocess fragment boundary (where a process fragment starts, and when itends). Detection of a block of actions in a list, in a paragraph, orsection signals identification of candidate process fragment. Theprocess names may be deduced from section headers, or any heading of thetext of paragraph that contain the process fragment. In one embodiment,joining actionable statement with entity information is processed usingthe following. When joining the eAssistant actionable statementinformation with entities from a cognitive computing API, use thesentence boundary to identify whether an entity is in the theme of theaction (ActionAPI also may be used for this purpose). In identificationof the entity and action relationship, the syntactic role of the entityis used (whether object, in subject, etc.).

In one embodiment, mapping from process descriptions to executables mayinclude, for example: for document processing 920, insurance manualsfocus on types of companies and have long lists of if-then-else rules,exclusions, etc. Discover process fragments 1230 processes constructsmainly around rules that define a decision tree. The extract businessentities 1240 processing extracts domain model building blocks. Theprocess knowledge graph builder 1260 processing generates a knowledgegraph that includes meta-rules, e.g., regarding treatment of exclusions.The mappings 1250 processing may include look-up tables used by authorsof manuals in a mapping construction algorithm/process.

In one embodiment, key process constructs to pull from a DTP/JobAid forBP-specific may include:

-   -   concept reference (e.g., employee, pay slip, termination,        computation, country), and applications to interact with (SAP,        PeopleSoft, Spreadsheets, . . . ), and temporal concepts;        actions: access data—from where, what fields, what time range;        output/write data—to where, what fields, what format; obtain        approval, e.g., from a Team Lead, or sometimes from a peer        practitioner; and mitigate inconsistency, typically by sending        an email or calling someone;    -   conditional action, e.g., for all countries (or other category)        vs. action for a single country;    -   macro level: identify the reasoning processes (access, reason,        record); identify sequencing between reasoning processes; note:        the focus on the reasoning processes is: kinds of “reasoning,”        computation steps: as for tax computation, actually, the logic        here may be buried inside spreadsheet macros; validation steps:        typically comparing values from corresponding fields from        different data sources. Picking out the field-name-pairs is        useful; “root cause” analysis steps: e.g., individual ways that        a PACT flag can be explained, e.g., increase pay might be from a        bonus, a raise, end of a garnishment, etc.

In one embodiment, key process constructs to pull from a DTP/JobAid forApp-specific may include: key conceptual entities, e.g., employee, PaySlip, Termination, Wage Type (there are several kinds), Benefits, Taxcomputation, Government agencies, Key documents to be created (e.g.,“attestation” for French sickness), etc.; Set of relevant countries; Setof relevant Applications, including data objects (e.g., SAP Info Types,Wage types, government web sites), for each Info Type, set of relevantfield names; key triggering events, e.g., request from Team Lead,Incoming Sickness information from client company, Reimbursement paymentfrom a government entity, etc.

In one example embodiment, key process entities for an example HR Casemay include: process fragment: Name, Triggering Condition, {Include Linkto a set of Actions}; Action: verb, Role/Person, Deadline (specificdate), Timeline (a time/period mention), Data/Attribute/Business Entity;Goal/Objective: description of what is desired to be achieved, e.g.,termination of an employee; Conditions/Rules: Examples: “if . . . thenelse,” “ . . . . Unless . . . ”; Conditions/Rules have anticendent andconsequent sections; the antidendent part is a logical statement;consequent sections contain one or more Actions; Action Flow: assigninga sequence number to each action in the process fragment.

In one embodiment, process knowledge graph builder 1260 includes thefollowing extraction guidelines and notes, according to one embodiment.While processing a document, a first question is identification of aprocess fragment boundary (where a process fragment starts, and when itends). Detection of a block of actions in a list, in a paragraph, orsection signals identification of candidate process fragment. Theprocess names may be deduced from section headers, or any heading of thetext of paragraph that contain the process fragment. In one embodiment,joining actionable statement with entity information is processed usingthe following. When joining the eAssistant actionable statementinformation with entities from a cognitive computing API, use thesentence boundary to identify whether an entity is in the theme of theaction (ActionAPI also may be used for this purpose). In identificationof the entity and action relationship, the syntactic role of the entityis used (whether object, in subject, etc.).

In one embodiment, the pipeline 1200 may include hybrid rule-processmodels. An insurance process is dominated by traversing parts of alarge, very wide, virtual decision tree (or directed acyclic graph(DAG)). The hybrid rule-process models may be driven by a large set ofrules, that may evolve over time. Traditional separation of “processmodel” and “process instance” is not a good fit. Key requirements on a“new” modeling approach may include: repeatability/consistency (untilrules are modified), points of uniformity to enable reporting, bothoperational efficiency and business-level rationale and optimizations,and traceability/provenance for each case in a standardized way to keepall relevant data and rules applied. In one embodiment, a hypothesis mayinclude: for the rules-driven aspects: data-centric model—similar tocase management; lifecycles: hybrid of process+decision tree, where adecision tree may be a DAG with roll-backs; identify shared milestonesto enable comparisons across cases; and maintain database of rules, withhistory of updates to them.

In one embodiment, mapping from process descriptions to executables mayinclude, for example: for document processing 920, insurance manualsfocus on types of companies and have long lists of if-then-else rules,exclusions, etc. Discover process fragments 1230 processing processesconstructs mainly around rules that define a decision tree. The extractbusiness entities 1240 processing extracts domain model building blocks.The process knowledge graph builder 1260 processing generates aknowledge graph that includes meta-rules, e.g., regarding treatment ofexclusions. The mappings 1250 processing may include look-up tables usedby authors of manuals in a mapping construction algorithm/process. Theexecutable process builder 1270 includes human-consumable abstractrepresentation of executables.

FIG. 13 illustrates a block diagram for a process 1300 for continuouslyadaptive business process management definition and execution, accordingto one embodiment. In block 1310, process 1300 obtains, by a processor(e.g., a processor in cloud computing environment 50, FIG. 1, system300, FIG. 3, system 400, FIG. 4, or system 500, FIG. 5), BPMs and aprocess runtime environment. In block 1320, process 1300 discovers aBPM. In block 1330 process 1300 discovers business rules that supportsdecision making for the business process model. In block 1340 process1300 defines a process plan in view of the business rules for achievinga predetermined goal. In block 1350 process 1300 determines a nextaction in the process plan based on the business rules in a currentprocess portion and providing a recommendation for acting on the nextaction. In block 1360 process 1300 executes the next action based on therecommendation. In block 1370 process 1300 determines a change in aworld effect status after executing the next action. In block 1380process 1300 updates the process plan. In block 1390 process 1300generates a continuously adaptive business process model and executionenvironment.

In one embodiment, in process 1300 discovering a process model comprisesdefining the process model. In one embodiment, process 1300 may furtherinclude generating a domain model knowledge graph based on discoverednew goals, indicators of progress and extracted entity information.

In one embodiment, process 1300 may further include generating a domainstatus knowledge graph based on the discovered new goals, the indicatorsof progress and the extracted entity information, and generating logicalexpressions based on the domain model knowledge graph and the domainstatus graph.

In one embodiment, for process 1300 the unstructured data sourceinformation includes at least one of: electronic device and sensorinformation, text from: process manuals, schedules, plans, policies,rules, software applications and electronic communications. The businessconstraints include at least one of actions, rules and conditions.

In one embodiment, process 1300 may further include generating a processknowledge graph based on process fragments and a set of actionablestatements and business constraints; and mapping the process knowledgegraph into an executable process knowledge graph.

In one embodiment, all attributes of an action are linked to the actionwith at least one link.

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the presentinvention may be embodied as a system, method or computer programproduct. Accordingly, aspects of the present invention may take the formof an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment(including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or anembodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may allgenerally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module” or “system.”Furthermore, aspects of the present invention may take the form of acomputer program product embodied in one or more computer readablemedium(s) having computer readable program code embodied thereon.

Any combination of one or more computer readable medium(s) may beutilized. The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signalmedium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readablestorage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic,magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system,apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. Morespecific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer readablestorage medium would include the following: an electrical connectionhaving one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, arandom access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasableprogrammable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber,a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storagedevice, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. In the context of this document, a computer readable storagemedium may be any tangible medium that can contain, or store a programfor use by or in connection with an instruction execution system,apparatus, or device.

A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated data signalwith computer readable program code embodied therein, for example, inbaseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may takeany of a variety of forms, including, but not limited to,electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. Acomputer readable signal medium may be any computer readable medium thatis not a computer readable storage medium and that can communicate,propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with aninstruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be transmittedusing any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless,wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination ofthe foregoing.

Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of thepresent invention may be written in any combination of one or moreprogramming languages, including an object oriented programming languagesuch as Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the like and conventional proceduralprogramming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similarprogramming languages. The program code may execute entirely on theuser's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alonesoftware package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remotecomputer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latterscenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computerthrough any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or awide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an externalcomputer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet ServiceProvider).

Aspects of the present invention are described below with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems) and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer program instructions. These computer program instructions maybe provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, specialpurpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus toproduce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via theprocessor of the computer or other programmable data processingapparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified inthe flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computerreadable medium that can direct a computer, other programmable dataprocessing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particularmanner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readablemedium produce an article of manufacture including instructions whichimplement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer,other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to causea series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, otherprogrammable apparatus or other devices to produce a computerimplemented process such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer or other programmable apparatus provide processes forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods, and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternativeimplementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of theorder noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in successionmay, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks maysometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon thefunctionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of theblock diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocksin the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implementedby special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specifiedfunctions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardwareand computer instructions.

References in the claims to an element in the singular is not intendedto mean “one and only” unless explicitly so stated, but rather “one ormore.” All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of theabove-described exemplary embodiment that are currently known or latercome to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are intended tobe encompassed by the present claims. No claim element herein is to beconstrued under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. section 112, sixthparagraph, unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase“means for” or “step for.”

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of allmeans or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended toinclude any structure, material, or act for performing the function incombination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. Thedescription of the present invention has been presented for purposes ofillustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive orlimited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications andvariations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the artwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Theembodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples of the invention and the practical application, and to enableothers of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention forvarious embodiments with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for continuously adaptive businessprocess management definition and execution comprising: obtaining, by aprocessor, a plurality of business process models and a process runtimeenvironment; discovering a particular one business process model fromthe plurality of business process models; discovering business rulesthat supports decision making for the particular one business processmodel; defining a process plan in view of the business rules forachieving an initial goal; determining a next action in the process planbased on the business rules in a current process portion and providing arecommendation for acting on the next action; executing a processingthread for the next action based on the recommendation; determining achange in a world effect status after executing the processing threadfor the next action; updating the process plan; generating acontinuously adaptive business process model and execution environment;discovering new goals; extracting entity information from inputdocuments; and generating a model knowledge graph including a firstparse-tree for process fragments using the discovered new goals and theextracted entity information.
 2. The method of claim 1, whereindiscovering the particular one business process model comprises definingthe particular one business process model.
 3. The method of claim 1,further comprising: executing the continuously adaptive business processmodel in the execution environment.
 4. The method of claim 3, furthercomprising: generating a status knowledge graph including a secondparse-tree for process fragments based on the discovered new goals andthe extracted entity information; and generating logical expressionsbased on the model knowledge graph and the status knowledge graph. 5.The method of claim 1, further comprising: obtaining, by a processor,unstructured data source information describing business processes; andgenerating a processing model using the unstructured data sourceinformation.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the unstructured datasource information comprises at least one of: electronic device andsensor information, and text from: process manuals, schedules, plans,policies, rules, software applications and electronic communications. 7.The method of claim 1, further comprising: generating a processknowledge graph including a parse-tree for process fragments based onprocess fragments and a set of actionable statements and businessconstraints; and mapping process descriptions to executables.
 8. Themethod of claim 7, wherein all attributes of an action are linked to theaction with at least one link.
 9. A computer program product forcontinuously adaptive business process management definition andexecution, the computer program product comprising a computer readablestorage medium having program instructions embodied therewith, theprogram instructions executable by a processor to cause the processorto: obtain, by the processor, a plurality of business process models anda process runtime environment; discover, by the processor, a particularone business process model from the plurality of business processmodels; discover, by the processor, business rules that supportsdecision making for the particular one business process model; define,by the processor, a process plan in view of the business rules forachieving an initial goal; determine, by the processor, a next action inthe process plan based on the business rules in a current processportion and providing a recommendation for acting on the next action;execute, by the processor, a processing thread for the next action basedon the recommendation; determine, by the processor, a change in a worldeffect status after executing the processing thread for the next action;update, by the processor, the process plan; generate, by the processor,a continuously adaptive business process model and executionenvironment; discover, by the processor, new goals; extract, by theprocessor, entity information from input documents; and generate, by theprocessor, a model knowledge graph including a first parse-tree forprocess fragments using the discovered new goals and the extractedentity information.
 10. The computer program product of claim 9, whereindiscovering the particular one business process model comprises definingthe particular one business process model.
 11. The computer programproduct of claim 9, wherein the processor is further caused to: execute,by the processor, the continuously adaptive business process model inthe execution environment.
 12. The computer program product of claim 9,wherein the processor is further caused to: generate, by the processor,a status knowledge graph including a second parse-tree for processfragments based on the discovered new goals and the extracted entityinformation; and generate, by the processor, logical expressions basedon the model knowledge graph and the status knowledge graph.
 13. Thecomputer program product of claim 9, wherein the processor is furthercaused to: obtain, by a processor, unstructured data source informationdescribing business processes; and generate, by the processor, aprocessing model using the unstructured data source information.
 14. Thecomputer program product of claim 13, wherein the unstructured datasource information comprises at least one of: electronic device andsensor information, and text from: process manuals, schedules, plans,policies, rules, software applications and electronic communications.15. The computer program product of claim 9, wherein the processor isfurther caused to: generate, by the processor, a process knowledge graphincluding a parse-tree for process fragments based on process fragmentsand a set of actionable statements and business constraints; and map, bythe processor, process descriptions to executables.
 16. The computerprogram product of claim 15, wherein all attributes of an action arelinked to the action with at least one link.
 17. An apparatuscomprising: a memory configured to store instructions; and a processorconfigured to execute the instructions to: obtain a plurality ofbusiness process models and a process runtime environment; discover aparticular one business process model from the plurality of businessprocess models; discover business rules that supports decision makingfor the particular one business process model; define a process plan inview of the business rules for achieving an initial goal; determine anext action in the process plan based on the business rules in a currentprocess portion and providing a recommendation for acting on the nextaction; execute a processing thread for the next action based on therecommendation; determine a change in a world effect status afterexecuting the processing thread for the next action; update the processplan; generate a continuously adaptive business process model andexecution environment; discover new goals; extract entity informationfrom input documents; generate a model knowledge graph including a firstparse-tree for process fragments using the discovered new goals and theextracted entity information.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein theprocessor is further configured to execute the instructions to: obtainunstructured data source information describing business processes;generate a process-ware text representation model based on theunstructured data source information; and execute the continuouslyadaptive business process model in the execution environment, whereindiscovering the particular one business process model comprises definingthe particular one business process model, and the unstructured datasource information comprises at least one of: electronic device andsensor information, and text from: process manuals, schedules, plans,policies, rules, software applications and electronic communications.19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the processor is furtherconfigured to execute the instructions to: generate a status knowledgegraph including a second parse-tree for process fragments based on thediscovered new goals and the extracted entity information; and generatelogical expressions based on the model knowledge graph and the statusknowledge graph.
 20. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the processor isfurther configured to execute the instructions to: generate a processknowledge graph including a parse-tree for process fragments based onprocess fragments and a set of actionable statements and businessconstraints; and map process descriptions to executables, wherein allattributes of an action are linked to the action with at least one link.